Auditions set for upcoming production of ‘Pippin’

Curtains Up Pagosa! will audition actors for the upcoming production of “Pippin” on Friday, April 26, from 2-6 p.m. in the high school music room.

“Pippin” is scheduled for production at Pagosa Springs High School on June 28, 29, and 30 and July 3, 5 and 6. This is a strictly volunteer amateur acting venture, open to all who wish to audition. For those who have not been on stage for many years, Curtains up Pagosa! invites you to come back to the fun and excitement of the theater.

This high-energy, rock-style musical is about a young prince, Pippin, the son of Charlemagne, on a quest to lead an extraordinary life. He is challenged by the Lead Player (or narrator), who is a central protagonist in the play, and Pippin experiences a number of adventures on his journey to find his “Corner of the Sky,” as he proclaims in his opening song.

Pippin has a cast of 25-30 players (high school and adults) that includes the leading roles of Pippin, his father Charles (Charlemagne), his mother Fastrada, his grandmother Berthe, his girlfriend Catherine, his brother Lewis, and the Narrator (Leading Player). There are also supporting roles called the Band of Players.

The original production of “Pippin,” directed by Bob Fosse, premiered on Broadway in 1972. It won five Tony Awards and ran for close to 2,000 performances before closing in 1977. It is currently enjoying a revival on Broadway under the direction of Tony Award nominee Diane Paulus.

The music and lyrics for “Pippin” are by Stephen Schwartz, and the book is by Roger O. Hirson and dance legend Bob Fosse. “Pippin” is the most requested and performed musical in the country in community theaters, regional, repertory and high schools, second only to “Oklahoma,” and is now enjoying a revival on Broadway.

The show is noted for Broadway standards such as “Corner of the Sky,” “Magic To Do,” “l Guess I’ll Miss The Man,” “Glory,” “No Time at All,” “Morning Glow” and “Love Song.”

Those wishing to audition should prepare one verse of a song (please supply music for the provided accompanist), will be asked to do a cold read from the script, and demonstrate dancing ability (a brief ensemble dance will be taught to those who audition). This musical has only one part for a young male actor, the rest of the roles are for high school and adult actors.

Curtains Up Pagosa! is excited to continue its outstanding tradition of providing excellent musical theater to the community. Proceeds from this production go towards supporting arts in the schools, providing scholarships to students majoring in the performing arts, and adult mentoring for young performing arts students. Volunteers are always needed for costuming, set construction, ticket sales, concessions, pit orchestra and production assistance. The cast and musicians are also completely volunteer, allowing proceeds to be more fully utilized for furthering arts education.